This week, classic cars from all over the world participate in the Mille Miglia, a racing event with a storied and unusual history. What is dubbed as the “most beautiful race in the world” once helped names like Ferrari, Porsche, Alfa Romeo, Maserati, and Mercedes-Benz get famous. The 1,000-mile competition was first held in 1927 in Italy where it took place 24 times until 1957. After a 20-year gap, an honorary version of the race called Mille Miglia Storica commenced in 1977, this time using strictly cars from 1957 or before. This year marks the 40th such race.
Since the late ‘80s, Swiss luxury watch brand Chopard has been a sponsor and the official timekeeper of the Mille Miglia and has released a duo of timepieces in honor of its 35th consecutive collaboration. The 2022 Race Edition is a chronometer-certified chronograph that comes in either stainless steel, limited to 1,000 pieces, or a version with 18k rose gold on the bezel, crown, and pushers, limited to 250 pieces. The 44mm case houses an automatic ETA 7750 movement with a power reserve of 48 hours, and the watch is water-resistant to a solid 100m.
Also wearing the new watch will be Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele as he drives in one of 404 cars racing this week. He will be behind the wheel of his family’s 1955 Mercedes Benz 300 SL in strawberry red, with his daughter serving as co-pilot. It’s not every day that we see the leader of a luxury watchmaker wearing a special commemorative race chronograph while driving in the very race that’s being commemorated, but that just goes to show just how special the bond is between Chopard and Mille Miglia.
Sporting a brown leather rallye strap, the Mille Miglia 2022 Race Edition is now available on Chopard’s website for $7,770 in steel or $11,400 for the 18k rose gold version. Each limited-edition timepiece will be numbered on the caseback.
